Promoting Authentic Sexuality in a Disordered Age

“Most Chaste Saint”This statue of St. Thomas Aquinas being girded by the angels is in the Dominican church in Mexico City.Photo: Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P.

Founded in the 17th century, the Angelic Warfare Confraternity is an association of the faithful entrusted by the pope to the Dominican Order with the goal of helping its members grow in the virtue of purity. Members wear the cord or medal of St. Thomas Aquinas and commit to pray for one another daily. In our time, the Confraternity has become a powerful weapon against pornography. BlackFriars spoke with Fr. Ambrose Little, Promoter of the Angelic Warfare Confraternity for the Province of St. Joseph, which has over 10,000 members, about this battle.

What is the nature of the sexual crisis we are facing today?

The world has been so inundated with pornography that other issues are cropping up around it. It’s no longer just a private thing, but can be a source of abuse and relationship issues. For instance, pornography is the leading cause of erectile dysfunction among college-age males and they are no longer attracted to normal women. It’s also become a problem for young couples early on in their marriage, who may try to imitate what they see in pornography or who may grow apart because one spouse is addicted to pornography.

How can the Angelic Warfare Confraternity help?

Pornography is an addiction for people, and they need grace. The Confraternity offers them a new avenue of grace that’s focused on this particular area. For those who aren’t struggling with deep sin, the Confraternity helps them continue to resist the temptations of living in a sexually explicit society. Growth in purity means beginning to look upon the world less as a temptation and more as a sign and symbol of the glory of God. What we’re really trying to do is fulfill the sixth Beatitude: “Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.”

What does the Confraternity offer dating or married Catholics?

A lot of engaged couples fall into a possessive mindset: “We’re going to have this great house, we’re going to have this great family, and you’re going to make me really happy.” Whereas, if they begin to look upon the world with a pure gaze, the focus becomes how much their relationship is going to bring them closer to God and how, as a couple, they can bring God to their children, friends, and family.